It took a while for this game to get going, with Arsenal and Stoke both matching each other and cancelling each other out in the first half. That was much better than the same fixture last season when the Gunners were completely blown away by the home side in the first half an hour.
It was strongly contested from both teams without there being too many real chances for either side. Arsenal just edged the first half in terms of shots on target but we cannot really say we deserved the lead. Stoke came out with real purpose after the break but the Gunners rallied and probably just about edged the second half as well.
Both Petr Cech and Jack Butland mad a few good saves over the course of the game and we survived a late scare with a clearance off the line but all in all I think a draw was a fair result and although it would have been great to take all three points, the result does take Arsenal back above Man City and Leicester City into top spot.
And considering that we were without first choice players like Cazorla, Coquelin, Alexis and Ozil, along with the very good form Stoke are in I reckon we should be reasonably satisfied.